High temperature ceramic composite for selective emission

ABSTRACT

A high temperature stable composition includes a first material and a second material interspersed within the first material so as to form a structure. The composition is structured such that the first and second materials maintain a periodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm, and the composition is operable to reflect photons having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm and to emit or transmit photons having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm at temperatures greater than about 2000 Kelvin for at least about 10 hours.

BACKGROUND

The presently claimed invention relates generally to a ceramic compositeand related methods and systems for selective emission of radiation.

There are many classes and types of lighting devices available on themarket today including incandescent lamps, discharge based lamps such ashigh intensity discharge (HID) and fluorescent lamps, as well as solidstate devices such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and Organic LEDs(OLEDS). Each of these devices has certain advantages and disadvantagesdepending upon the application within which they are to be used.

Tungsten filament incandescent lamps for example have numerousadvantages for indoor and outdoor lighting systems. These advantagesinclude simplicity of use, pleasing color, instant start, dimmabilityand low cost, not to mention a very large installation base. However,because much of the input energy of incandescent lamps is radiatedoutside the visible spectrum, incandescent lamps tend to have low energyefficiencies (e.g., on the order of 17 lumens per watt (LPW) for a 100watt (100 W) lamp rated at 120 volts (120V) and having a rated lifetimeof 750 hours). In particular, only about nine percent (9%) of powersupplied to incandescent lamps is radiated as visible light with theremaining power being radiated as waste heat. Despite the many inherentadvantages of incandescent lamps, if their efficiency cannot beimproved, they will continue to lose market share to compact fluorescentlamps, which have an advantage in efficacy, albeit at the expense ofcolor, dimmability, and acquisition cost.

It has been suggested that one possible approach to improve theefficiency of incandescent lamps is through the use of photonic crystalsto modify or suppress thermal radiation above a cutoff wavelength.However, all such suggested photonic crystal designs are limited by oneor more factors including the materials and lattice structures employed,as well as the resulting efficiencies afforded.

For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,768,256 issued to Sandia Corporation(hereinafter the '256 patent), a photonic crystal light source isdescribed that is said to provide an enhanced light emission at visibleand infrared wavelengths (e.g., enhanced photonic density-of-states). Inthe '256 patent, the photonic crystal structure is configured in aninherently unstable stacked log pile design utilizing alternating layersof tungsten rods in an attempt to create a photonic band gap. Althoughsome enhanced light emission is reported, the spacing between thetungsten rods ranges from 2.8 μm with a rod width of 1.2 μm to 4.2 μmwith a rod width of 0.85 μm. This results in a band edge for the allowedband of energies occurring beyond 4 μm yielding a minimal increase inefficiency. In order for such a tungsten log pile design to provide aband gap that is applicable in a lighting device such as an incandescentlamp, the lattice spacing would need to be on the order of about 400 nm.However, at such a small scale, 400 nm tungsten rods become extremelyunstable when exposed to temperatures common to an incandescentenvironment (e.g., at or above 1700 Kelvin) for as little as two hours.

FIGS. 1(A-C) illustrate an example of 400 nm tungsten rods having beenexposed to temperatures of 300 Kelvin, 1500 Kelvin and 1700 Kelvin,respectively for a period of two hours. With reference to FIGS. 1(A-C)it can be easily seen that as the temperature is increased, the grainsize within the rods increases toward the feature size causing the rodsto become unstable. Similarly, other mechanisms such as Raleighinstability may cause the logs to spheroidize into droplets renderingthe structures unstable at high temperatures.

Thus, although the prior art may suggest methods of improvingefficiencies of incandescent lamps, all such suggested improvements failto teach material and structural combinations at the appropriate scalethat are predicted to be stable at temperatures above 1700 Kelvin forextended periods of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a high temperaturestable composition is provided. The high temperature stable compositionincludes a first material and a second material interspersed within thefirst material so as to form a structure. The structure is such that thefirst and second materials maintain a periodicity of distributionbetween about 100 nm and about 1000 nm, and the composition is operableto reflect photons having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm and toemit or transmit photons having a wavelength between about 400 nm andabout 700 nm at temperatures greater than about 2000 Kelvin for at leastabout 10 hours.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a high temperatureceramic composite is provided. The ceramic composite includes a firstmaterial and a second material arranged such that the first and secondmaterials maintain a periodicity of distribution between about 100 nmand about 1000 nm. Furthermore, the first material is selected from thegroup consisting of carbides of transition metals, nitrides oftransition metals, borides of transition metals, oxides of transitionmetals, and combinations thereof, and wherein the second materialcomprises a transition metal.

In accordance with a further aspect of the disclosure, a compositionincluding a high temperature ceramic composite is described. The hightemperature ceramic composite includes a first material and a secondmaterial arranged such that the first and second materials maintain aperiodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm.Furthermore, the first material is selected from the group consisting ofcarbides of transition metals, nitrides of transition metals, borides oftransition metals, oxides of transition metals, and combinationsthereof, and the second material comprises a gas phase.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the disclosure, a hightemperature ceramic composite includes a first material and a secondmaterial arranged such that the first and second materials maintain aperiodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm,where the first material is selected from the group consisting ofcarbides of transition metals, nitrides of transition metals, borides oftransition metals and combinations thereof. Furthermore, the secondmaterial comprises a material selected from the group consisting of HfC,NbC, W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2, ZrB2, W2B, HfO2,ZrO2, C and combinations of two or more thereof.

In accordance with still another aspect of the disclosure, a hightemperature ceramic composite includes a high temperature ceramiccomposite having a first material and a second material arranged suchthat the first and second materials maintain a periodicity ofdistribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm, wherein the firstmaterial comprises a transition metal, and the second material comprisesa material selected from the group consisting of HfC, NbC, W2C, TaC,ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2, ZrB2, W2B, HfO2, ZrO2, C andcombinations of two or more thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method ofoperation is described. The method includes applying current to acomposition comprising a first material and a second materialinterspersed within the first material to form a structure such that thefirst and second materials maintain a periodicity of distributionbetween about 100 nm and about 1000 nm. The method further includesheating the composition to a temperature greater than about 2000 Kelvinto cause the emission or transmission of photons having a wavelengthbetween about 400 nm and about 700 nm and the reflection of photonshaving a wavelength greater than about 700 nm for a duration of at leastabout 10 hours.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates examples of tungsten logs exposed to temperatures of300 Kelvin, 1500 Kelvin and 1700 Kelvin;

FIG. 2 illustrates two corresponding views of a high temperature ceramiccomposite in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a ceramic compositeconfigured in an opal lattice structure;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of a ceramiccomposite configured in an opal lattice structure;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a ceramic compositeconfigured in an inverse opal lattice structure;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating one embodiment of a ceramiccomposite for selective emission in the form of a coating;

FIG. 7 illustrates an incandescent lamp including a ceramic compositeconfigured as an emitter in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an incandescent lamp including a ceramic compositeconfigured in a filter arrangement in accordance with another embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an incandescent lampincluding a ceramic composite configured in a filter arrangement; and

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of an operatingmethod for the incandescent lamp of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the presently claimedinvention, compositions, coatings, articles, light sources andassociated methods will be described herein. In the followingdescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of various embodiments of the presentinvention. However, those skilled in the art will understand thatembodiments of the present invention may be practiced without thesespecific details, that the present invention is not limited to thedepicted embodiments, and that the present invention may be practiced ina variety of alternative embodiments. In other instances, well knownmethods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail.

Furthermore, various operations may be described as multiple discretesteps performed in a manner that is helpful for understandingembodiments of the present invention. However, the order of descriptionshould not be construed so as to imply that these operations need beperformed in the order they are presented, or that they are even orderdependent. Moreover, repeated usage of the phrase “in one embodiment”does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.Lastly, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “having”, and the like, asused in the present application, are intended to be synonymous andinterpreted as open ended unless otherwise indicated.

Embodiments of the presently claimed invention include a hightemperature stable ceramic composite material (hereinafter referred toas a ‘ceramic composite’) designed to selectively reflect photonscorresponding to at least one range of non-visible radiation wavelengths(such as ultraviolet and infrared) and to selectively emit or transmitphotons corresponding to at least one range of visible radiationwavelengths. Because the ceramic composite selectively emits ortransmits visible radiation while selectively reflecting the non-visibleradiation that would otherwise be radiated as waste heat, it is possibleto decrease the amount of input power that would otherwise be needed toachieve the same lumen output. This in turn can result in an increase inthe efficiency of systems incorporating the ceramic composite material.Furthermore, due at least in part to the composite structures andmaterial combinations utilized in the formation of the ceramic compositeas described herein, the ceramic composite is designed to remain stableat high temperatures, such as above about 2000 Kelvin and preferablyabove about 2300 Kelvin. This may be contrasted with the prior art,which only teaches the use of materials and structures that areinherently unstable at such temperatures.

As noted above and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention,the ceramic composite is designed to remain stable at high temperatures,such as above about 2000 Kelvin and preferably above about 2300 Kelvin.The ceramic composite may be deemed ‘stable’ if the performance of theceramic composite does not appreciably degrade (e.g. due tovaporization) through exposure to such high temperatures for astipulated design lifetime. The stipulated design lifetime for theceramic composite may depend upon the application in which the ceramiccomposite is to be used. For example, in lighting applications, it maybe desirable for the ceramic composite to have a design lifetimespanning from as little as 10 hours up to and exceeding 1000 hours. Inincandescent lamp applications for example, a reasonable design lifetimemay be any length of time greater than about 100 hours and preferablygreater than about 750 hours, which is comparable to the performance oftoday's incandescent lamps.

In accordance with one aspect of the presently claimed invention,selective photon reflection and selective photon emission ortransmission by the ceramic composite is dependent upon the structuraland material relationships between the constituent materials used withinthe ceramic composite structure. In one embodiment, the wavelengths ofradiation to be reflected, emitted or transmitted by the ceramiccomposite may be determined based upon the dielectric properties of therespective ceramic composite materials and their relative distributionswithin the ceramic composite. In accordance with one embodiment, theceramic composite may include a first material that exhibitscharacteristics of a metal and a second material that exhibitscharacteristics of a dielectric. Generally, metallic materials areconductive and have overlapping conductance and valence bands in theirelectronic structure characteristics, whereas dielectrics are highlyresistant to the flow of electric current.

The dielectric function of a material generally describes the material'sresponse to the electric field of an electromagnetic wave and involvesthe physical process of excitation of electrons from occupied tounoccupied electronic states. The dielectric function of a material maybe used to identify whether a particular material exhibitscharacteristics of a metal or characteristics of a dielectric.Generally, the dielectric function of a material is a complex quantityincluding ‘real’ and ‘imaginary’ components. The dielectric function ofa ‘perfect dielectric’ material (relative to vacuum having a dielectricfunction equal to 1) is a real constant greater than or equal to 1. Forexample, the dielectric functions of HfO₂ and ZrO₂ have real componentsthat are approximately equal to four and have imaginary components thatare approximately equal to zero. In contrast, the dielectric function ofa ‘perfect metal’ is dependent on the contribution of intrabandelectronic transitions and may be characterized by the Drude formula:${ɛ = {1 - \frac{\omega_{p}^{2}}{\omega\left( {\omega + {j\gamma}} \right)}}},$where ω_(p) is the plasma frequency, j=√{square root over (−1)}, γ isthe damping coefficient of the material and ω is the frequency of theincident electromagnetic wave. In practice, many materials exhibitcomplicated behaviors where the real and imaginary components of therespective dielectric functions depend on the frequency of the radiationand the temperature of the subject material. Accordingly, although manymaterials may not be characterized as perfect metals or perfectdielectrics, such materials may nonetheless be characterized as behavingmore like a metal (also referred to as being “metal-like”) or more likea dielectric. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, amaterial may be characterized as being either a dielectric or a metal(where metals are defined to include metal-like materials) based uponthe value of the Drude formula plasma frequency (ω_(p)) identified forthe material of interest. In accordance with one embodiment, materialshaving a plasma frequency (ω_(p)) such that hω_(p) (where h is equal toPlanck's constant reduced by 2π (i.e. h/2π)) is greater than about 3 eVand preferably greater than about 4 eV are characterized as beingmetals. Similarly, materials having a plasma frequency (ω_(p)) such thathω_(p) is less than about 2 eV and preferably, less than about 1 eV arecharacterized as being dielectrics.

In one embodiment, the ceramic composite described herein includes afirst material characterized as a metal and a second materialcharacterized as a dielectric. Table 1 shows estimated Drude formulaplasma frequency values as a function of temperature from firstprinciples calculations of the electronic band structure of candidatematerials for forming the ceramic composite. As illustrated, severalrefractory metals and ceramics of transition metal nitrides, carbidesand borides exhibit strong metallic behavior in terms of theirdielectric functions (e.g. as indicated by their plasma frequency (up)).In contrast, refractory metal oxides such as, but not limited to HfO₂and ZrO₂, exhibit dielectric properties having an ω_(p) such that hω_(p)is equal to about zero eV (0 eV). TABLE 1 Drude parameters of metals andmetal-like ceramics at temperatures T = 300 K and T = 2500 K. ℏω_(p)(eV) ℏω_(p) (eV) MATERIAL (300 K) (2500 K) W 6.80 6.28 Ta 9.05 8.40 Os7.46-8.74 6.99-8.25 Re 5.85-6.35 5.66-6.14 NbC 7.63 7.33 HfC 3.08 3.11HfN 9.04 8.67 W₂C 6.48-7.99 6.19-7.63

In one embodiment, a ceramic composite for selective emission asdescribed herein may include an ordered array of nanoparticles of afirst material interspersed within a thermodynamically compatibleceramic matrix according to a determined periodicity of distribution.For the purpose of this description, the term ‘ceramic matrix’ isintended to refer to a solid compound formed through the application ofheat or heat and pressure between two or more materials where at leastone of the materials is non-metal. In an alternative embodiment, theceramic composite may include an ordered array of sphere-like nanovoidsinterspersed within a ceramic matrix according to a determinedperiodicity of distribution. In one embodiment, the nanovoids maycontain a gas phase (where the term “gas phase” is defined herein toinclude a vacuum) depending upon the operating characteristics desiredof the ceramic composite.

As used herein, the terms ‘nanoparticle’ and ‘nanovoid’ are respectivelyintended to refer to particles (whether in a solid or liquid phase) orvoids having a diameter that measures less than 500 nm. In oneembodiment, the nanoparticles described herein may have diameters thatrange from about 60 nm to about 350 nm. In one embodiment, the nanovoidsmay have diameters that range from about 300 nm to about 500 nm.Additionally, within the context of the ceramic composite describedherein, the term ‘interspersed’ is used broadly to mean thatnanoparticles or nanovoids are placed, positioned or formed at intervalswithin the ceramic matrix. Furthermore, the term ‘periodicity ofdistribution’ is intended to refer to the center-to-center spacing bywhich each of an array of interspersed nanoparticles or nanovoids isseparated. In the event a specific numerical value for a periodicity ofdistribution is provided herein, a margin of error of ±10 percent may beassumed.

FIG. 2 illustrates two corresponding views of a section of a hightemperature ceramic composite in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. The illustrated ceramic composite 10 of FIG. 2 isintended to generically represent both an opal lattice structure as wellas an inverse opal lattice structure (both described in further detailbelow). In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, the ceramic composite10 includes a first region 12 and a second region 14. It should be notedthat in certain instances, the illustrated size of region 14 may appearout of scale with respect to the illustrated size of region 12. In oneembodiment, the first region 12 may comprise a material in a solid phasewhereas the second region 14 may comprise a material in a solid, liquidor gas phase. In one embodiment, instances of the second region 14 maybe interspersed within the first region 12 so as to maintain aperiodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm. Inone embodiment, the first region 12 and the second region 14 maintain aperiodicity of distribution of about 350 nm. The first region 12 and thesecond region 14 may respectively comprise first and second materialsselected and structured such that when heated, the ceramic composite 10is operable to reflect photons having wavelengths greater than about 700nm and to emit or transmit photons having wavelengths between about 400nm and about 700 nm. Moreover, materials associated with the firstregion 12 and the second region 14 further may be selected andstructured so as to selectively reflect, emit or transmit photons attemperatures greater than about 2000k, and preferably greater than2300k, for a duration of at least about 10 hours and even up to orexceeding about 750 hours.

In accordance with various embodiments, the first region 12 and thesecond region 14 of the ceramic composite 10 may each be occupied by oneor more ceramic materials formed from carbides, nitrides, borides oroxides of transition metals including but not limited to HfC, NbC, W₂C,TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb₂N, Ta₂N, ZrN, HfB₂, TaB₂, ZrB₂, W₂B, HfO₂, and ZrO₂.As used herein and unless otherwise noted, transition metals areintended to refer to elements corresponding to groups 3 to 12 (i.e., thed-block) of the periodic table of elements.

In accordance with a first structural arrangement for the ceramiccomposite, the first region 12 of the ceramic composite 10 may beoccupied by a dielectric and the second region 14 may be occupied by ametal or a metal-like ceramic. For the purposes of this description,dielectrics include but are not limited to carbon (C) and oxides oftransition metals such as HfO₂ and ZrO₂. Similarly, for the purposes ofthis description, metal-like ceramics include but are not limited toHfC, NbC, W₂C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb₂N, Ta₂N, ZrN, HfB₂, TaB₂, ZrB₂, W₂B. Ina more particularized embodiment, the first region 12 may be occupied bya dielectric such as carbon or an oxide of a transition metal, while thesecond region 14 may be either occupied by one or more transition metals(including but not limited to W, Os, Re, Mo, Au, Ta and Nb) or by one ormore metal-like ceramics (including but not limited to HfC, NbC, W₂C,TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb₂N, Ta₂N, ZrN, HfB₂, TaB₂, ZrB₂ and W₂B).

In accordance with a second structural arrangement for the ceramiccomposite 10, the first region 12 may be occupied by a metal ormetal-like ceramic and the second region 14 may be occupied by adielectric. In one embodiment, the second region 14 may be occupied byan array of sphere-like nanovoids interspersed within or with respect tothe first region 12 so as to act like a dielectric. In one embodiment,the first region 12 may be formed from one or more metals or metal-likeceramic materials including but not limited to HfC, NbC, W₂C, TaC, ZrC,HfN, Nb₂N, Ta₂N, ZrN, HfB₂, TaB₂, ZrB₂, and W₂B. The nanovoids mayfurther include a gas phase such as vacuum or air, or an additional fillgas provided to further tailor the performance of the ceramic composite10 as will be described in further detail below.

In accordance with yet a further structural arrangement, the ceramiccomposite 10 may be configured in the form of a rod lattice structuredfrom alternating layers of evenly spaced rows of a metal or metal-likematerial as described above formed in the shape of rods (e.g. where thelength of the rod is substantially longer than the corresponding widthor height). In one embodiment, the rods may be separated according to adetermined periodicity of distribution by a dielectric material asdescribed above.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a ceramic composite26 configured in an opal lattice structure, where the term “opallattice” may refer to a close-packed ball lattice. In the illustratedembodiment, the ceramic composite 26 may be formed into an opal latticeby assembling an array of sphere-like composite particles 21. Each suchcomposite particle 21 may in turn be formed from a core nanoparticle 24of a first material that is coated or otherwise surrounded by adielectric material 22. In one embodiment, the core nanoparticles 24 mayrepresent a metal or metal-like material (e.g., as may be determined bythe plasma frequency for the material). Since the lattice spacing withinthe ceramic composite 26 is a function of the size of the compositeparticles 21, the size of the core nanoparticles 24 and the dielectricmaterial 22 may be tailored to achieve the desired lattice properties.In one embodiment, the core nanoparticles may have a diameter thatranges in size from about 60 nm to about 350 nm while the dielectricmaterial 22 may range in size such that diameter of the compositeparticle 21 ranges between about 300 nm and about 500 nm. In oneembodiment, the composite particles 21 may be formed into a singlemonolithic ceramic composite 26 by first assembling the compositeparticles 21 and in turn sintering the composite particle assembly. Inone embodiment, the composite particles 21 may be assembled directly ona substrate such as the illustrated heating element 25. As will bedescribed in further detail below, although in certain embodiments thenovel ceramic composite may be coated or otherwise assembled on asubstrate or heating element, it is also envisioned that the ceramiccomposite can be emissive without the need for such an underlyingsubstrate or heating element. In such a case, the ceramic compositecould be heated through direct application of current or through the useof inductive heating techniques, for example.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of a ceramiccomposite configured in an opal lattice structure. In FIG. 4,nanoparticles 34 of a first material having a first dielectric functionare combined with nanoparticles 32 of a second material having a seconddielectric function and then assembled onto a substrate or heatingelement (e.g. heating element 35) to form a lattice structure as shown.In one embodiment, the nanoparticles 34 of the first material mayrepresent one or more metals or metal-like materials and thenanoparticles 32 of the second material represent one or more dielectricmaterials.

In one embodiment, the dielectric material 22 of FIG. 3 and thenanoparticles 32 of FIG. 4 may represent carbides of transition metals,nitrides of transition metals, borides of transition metals, oxides oftransition metals, or combinations thereof. In contrast, thenanoparticles 24 of FIG. 3 and the nanoparticles 34 of FIG. 4 mayrepresent transition metals including but not limited to W, Os, Re, Mo,Au, Ta, Nb, C, Hf, Zr and combinations thereof. In a more particularizedembodiment, the dielectric material 22 and the nanoparticles 32 of FIG.4 may represent ceramic materials including, but not limited to C, ZrO₂and HfO₂, while the nanoparticles 24 of FIG. 3 and the nanoparticles 34of FIG. 4 may represent W, Os, Re, Mo, Au or combinations thereof.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a ceramic compositeconfigured in an inverse opal lattice structure. To form an inverse opalstructure, dielectric nanoparticles 44 may first be assembled onto asubstrate or heating element (e.g. heating element 45) to form a latticestructure 40 (FIG. 5A). In one embodiment, the dielectric nanoparticles44 include silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles. The dielectric nanoparticles 44may be assembled through one or more assembly techniques known or to bedeveloped for assembling nanoparticles. For example, suitable assemblytechniques for assembling the dielectric nanoparticles 44 may includebut are not limited to evaporation, electrophoresis, andLangmuir-Blodgett techniques.

In one embodiment, a dielectric shell 44 a may be formed around thedielectric nanoparticles 44 to provide additional contact between thedielectric nanoparticles 44 to facilitate bridging of the nanoparticles(FIG. 5B). In one embodiment, a silica shell may be formed on silicananoparticles 44. Once assembled, a metal or metal-like material 42 or aprecursor to be converted into a metal-like material may be infiltratedaround the dielectric nanoparticles 44 using one or more methods such aschemical vapor deposition (CVD) or electroplating (FIG. 5C). In theevent a precursor such as tungsten metal is used, it can be convertedinto a WC or W₂C ceramic by high temperature carburization through theuse of a carbon-containing gas such as methane. In a similar manner,nitrides, carbides and other refractory compounds used as a precursorcan also be made by nitriding or carburizing the parent metal.

Once the metal or metal-like material 42 has been formed, the dielectricnanoparticles 44 may be removed through etching or other means to formnanovoids 46 within the metal or metal-like material 42 resulting information of the inverse opal lattice. In one embodiment, bridges 47 maybe formed between the silica nanoparticles 44 (through e.g., CVD orsintering) (FIG. 5D).

In one embodiment, the ceramic composite for selective emissiondescribed herein may be configured as a composition or coating that maybe used in a variety of high-temperature applications. In onenon-limiting example, the ceramic composite may be used in hightemperature lighting applications such as those associated withincandescent lamps. FIGS. 6-9 illustrate various non-limiting examplesof how the ceramic composite for selective emission may be adapted foruse in certain lighting applications.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating one embodiment of a ceramiccomposite for selective emission in the form of a coating. Asillustrated, the ceramic composite 60 may be coated on a heating element65 as shown. In a non-limiting example, the heating element 65 mayrepresent e.g., a rod, coil or ribbon formed from a material such as butnot limited to carbon, tungsten, osmium, rhenium and molybdenum. Asshown in the exploded view, the ceramic composite 60 may include adielectric material in the form of a ceramic matrix 62, and metal ormetal-like nanoparticles 64. Alternatively, the ceramic composite 60 mayinclude a metal-like ceramic matrix 62, and nanovoids in place ofnanoparticles 64. The intersections between the ceramic matrix 62 andthe nanoparticles 64 define particle-ceramic interfaces 67, whereas theintersection between the ceramic matrix 62 and the heating element 65define a ceramic-heating element interface 63.

In one embodiment, the ceramic composite 60 may be configured such thatduring operation the ceramic composite 60 is not reduced in thickness(66) by an amount that would degrade performance of the ceramiccomposite 60 over a stipulated lifetime. In one embodiment, the ceramiccomposite 60 is configured such that performance of the ceramiccomposite does not degrade when heated to temperatures greater thanabout 2000 Kelvin and preferably greater than about 2300 Kelvin forperiods of at least about 10 hours, preferably at least about 100 hours,and more preferably at least about 750 hours. The term “thickness” ofthe ceramic composite 60 is defined herein to refer to the distancemeasured in a direction perpendicular to the heating element 65 from theceramic-heating element interface 63 to the emission surface 69. In oneembodiment, the thickness of the ceramic composite may range betweenabout 3 and 30 layers where a layer is defined by the diameter of thenanoparticles or nanovoids. For example, a ceramic composite having aperiodicity of distribution of about 350 nm and having a thickness ofabout 10 layers may result in a ceramic composite having a totalmeasurable thickness of about 3 μm. In one embodiment, the ceramiccomposite may be coated on a heating element having a diameter orcross-section measuring between about 25 μm and about 75 μm.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the ceramic composite of thepresently claimed invention may be configured as an emitter or as afilter. In an emitter arrangement, the ceramic composite may contributewholly or in part to photon emission (i.e., becomes emissive) whenheated. As alluded to above, the ceramic composite may be heateddirectly or through application of current to an underlying heatingelement. If the ceramic composite is emissive, then it may be generallydesirable to have high emittance in the visible radiation wavelengthsand to have low emittance in the infrared radiation wavelengths.

In a filter arrangement, the ceramic composite may be spaced apart froma heating element to selectively reflect infrared radiation and transmitvisible radiation emitted from the heating element. By reflecting theinfrared energy back onto the heating element, the heat flux to theheating element can be increased thereby decreasing the amount of inputenergy (e.g., voltage and current) required to attain the same lumenoutput.

FIG. 7 illustrates an incandescent lamp including a ceramic compositeconfigured as an emitter in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7, incandescent lamp 70 mayinclude a base 72, a light-transmissive envelope 73 coupled to the base,and an emitter structure 71 coupled to the base 72. The base 72 is wherethe electrical contact for the lamp is made and as such, may befabricated out of any conductive material such as brass or aluminum. Thelight-transmissive envelope 73 may be fabricated out of glass and maytake on any of a wide variety of shapes and finishes.

The emitter structure 71 is coupled to the base and may include aheating element 75 (also referred to as a filament), lead wires 76,support wires 78, and a stem press 74. The lead wires 76 carry thecurrent from the base 72 to the heating element 75. The lead wires 76may be made of copper from the base 72 to the stem press 74 and may bemade of nickel or nickel-plated copper from the stem press 74 to theheating element 75. The stem press 74 may be a glass-based structurethat holds the emitter structure 71 in place. The stem press 74 mayinclude an airtight seal around the lead wires 76. In order to balancethe coefficients of expansion, the stem press 74 may further include acopper sleeve through which the lead wires 76 are passed. The supportwires 78 are used to support the heating element 75 and may be made frommolybdenum, for example. The heating element 75 may be a straight wire,a coil, or a coiled-coil. In one embodiment the heating element 75 mayrepresent a filament comprising one or more materials such as W, C, Os,Re, Mo, Ta and Nb.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the heating element 75 may include aceramic composite operable to reflect photons having a wavelengthgreater than about 700 nm and to emit or transmit photons having awavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm at temperatures greaterthan about 2000 Kelvin and preferably greater than 2300 Kelvin for atleast about 10 hours, preferably at least 100 hours, and more preferablyfor at least 750 hours. The ceramic composite may include a firstmaterial and a second material interspersed within the first material toform a structure such that the first and second materials maintain aperiodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm. Inone embodiment, the first material may be selected from a group ofdielectrics including carbon as well as carbides of transition metals,nitrides of transition metals, borides of transition metals, oxides oftransition metals, and combinations thereof. The second material may beselected from a group of materials including W, Os, Re, Mo, Au, Ta, Nb,C, Hf, Zr and combinations thereof, or from a group of metal-likeceramics including HfC, NbC, W₂C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb₂N, Ta₂N, ZrN, HfB₂,TaB₂, ZrB₂, W₂B and combinations thereof. In an alternative embodiment,the first material may be selected from a group of metals or metal-likeceramics including carbides of transition metals, nitrides of transitionmetals, borides of transition metals, and combinations thereof, whereasthe second material may be may be selected from a group of dielectricsincluding carbon and oxides of transition metals. In yet a furtherembodiment, the first material may be selected from a group of metals ormetal-like ceramics whereas the second material may represent a gasphase. In one embodiment, the ceramic composite may be formed directlyon the heating element 75.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a vacuum may bemaintained within the light-transmissive envelope 73. In the event thevaporization rate of the ceramic composite coated on or functioning asthe heating element 75 is deemed to be too great for a desired lifetime,an additional gas phase (also referred to as a fill gas) may be addedwithin the light-transmissive envelope 73. In one embodiment, the lampfill gas may be chosen so as to stabilize operation of the lamp andthereby increase the rated lifetime of the lamp. In a ceramic compositecoating including a dielectric ceramic matrix and a metal, thecombination of the ceramic matrix and fill gas composition may beselected such that partial pressures of critical vaporizing species arelow and the ceramic composite coating vaporization does not endangerretention of the coating over the design lifetime.

FIG. 8 illustrates an incandescent lamp including a ceramic compositeconfigured in a filter arrangement in accordance with another embodimentof the invention. The incandescent lamp 80 is substantially similar tothe incandescent lamp 70 of FIG. 7, however the incandescent lamp 80 ofFIG. 8 includes a ceramic composite 87 spaced apart from and opticallyaligned with the heating element 85. With such a filter arrangement,infrared energy may be reflected back upon the heating element whileallowing the visible light to pass. As such, the visible light outputoccurs primarily due to emission from the underlying heating elementthat is in turn filtered by the ceramic composite. In one embodiment,the ceramic composite operates to selectively reflect infrared radiationfrom the emitter while selectively passing or transmitting visibleradiation.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an incandescent lampincluding a ceramic composite configured in a filter arrangement. Theincandescent lamp 90 is also similar to the incandescent lamp 70 of FIG.7, however the incandescent lamp 90 of FIG. 9 includes a ceramiccomposite filter 97 coated on the interior surface of thelight-transmissive envelope 93. The filter reflects infrared radiationback on to the heating element 95 of the incandescent lamp and onlyselectively transmits visible light.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of an operatingmethod for the incandescent lamp of FIG. 7. At block 1002, current isapplied to a light source (such as incandescent lamp 70) containing acoated heating element, wherein the coated heating element comprises afirst material and a second material interspersed within the firstmaterial to form a structure such that the first and second materialsmaintain a periodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about1000 nm. At block 1004, the heating element is heated to a temperaturegreater than about 2000 Kelvin and preferably greater than 2300 Kelvinto cause the emission or transmission of photons having a wavelengthbetween about 400 nm and about 700 nm and the reflection of photonshaving a wavelength greater than about 700 nm for at least about 10hours, and preferably at least about 750 hours.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a unique set ofmaterial screening principles and design criteria is described hereinfor identifying novel material combinations and structuralconfigurations for making a high temperature stable ceramic compositefor selective emission. More specifically, in order for such a ceramiccomposite to provide a desired luminous efficacy of at least 20 LPWwhile exposed to temperatures of at least 2000 Kelvin and preferably atleast 2300 Kelvin for periods of more than about 10 hours (and even upto and exceeding 750 hours), the candidate materials were screenedaccording to the following criteria. Although the following descriptionmakes reference to FIG. 6, the material screening principles and designcriteria described herein should not be read as being limited to onlyceramic composite coatings. Rather, such material screening principlesand design criteria are equally applicable to all ceramic compositeembodiments and reference to FIG. 6 is merely intended to beillustrative.

Referring to FIG. 6 once again, it has been determined that the ceramicmatrix 62 should be chemically compatible with both the nanoparticles 64(e.g., at the particle-ceramic interfaces 67) and the underlying heatingelement 65 (e.g. at the ceramic-heating element interface 63).Additionally, the ceramic composite 60 should have a sufficiently lowrate of vaporization in a high temperature environment such that themajority of the ceramic composite 10, independent of the form it maytake, remains substantially intact when operative in an incandescentlamp atmosphere over a desired design lifetime. In one embodiment, thedesign lifetime is at least 10 hours, preferably at least 100 hours, andmore preferably at least about 750 hours. Furthermore, the constituentmaterials of the ceramic composite 60 should have a sufficient contrastin dielectric functions so as to selectively reflect photons within atleast one range of non-visible wavelengths and to selectively emit ortransmit photons within at least one range of visible wavelengths.

For example, in accordance with one embodiment, if the maximum allowablevaporization rate of the ceramic composite 60 is chosen such that nomore than 10 percent of the ceramic composite 60 is allowed to bevaporized over a given design lifetime, then the vaporization lifetimeof the ceramic matrix 62, which is in excess of the design lifetime, at2300 K can be expressed by equation [1]: $\begin{matrix}{{t(h)} = {7.7619 \times {10^{- 5} \cdot \left( \frac{\rho_{ceramic}}{M_{ceramic}} \right) \cdot \frac{1}{p^{*}}}}} & {{EQ}.\quad\lbrack 1\rbrack}\end{matrix}$where ρ_(ceramic) is the mass density (g cm⁻³) of the ceramic matrix 62,M_(ceramic) is the molar mass (g mole⁻¹) of the ceramic matrix 62, andp* (atm) is the equilibrium vapor pressure of the major vaporizingspecies at the temperature of interest.

For example, assume tantalum carbide of initial stoichiometryTa_(0.513)C_(0.487) is a candidate ceramic matrix. Its densityP_(ceramic)=14.3 g cm⁻³, its molar mass M_(ceramic)=192.959 g mole⁻¹,and the vapor pressure of the most volatile species, Ta,p*_(Ta)=5.0×10⁻¹³ atm at a filament temperature of 2300 K. Therefore,the predicted time (t) to remove 10 percent of a 3 μm thickTa_(0.513)C_(0.487) coating at 2300 K is 1.15×10⁷ hours. Since 1.15×10⁷hours is much greater than the presently desired lifetime of 750 hours,Ta_(0.513)C_(0.487) may be considered a suitable ceramic matrix withrespect to vaporization resistance for this lifetime. Further, theequivalent predicted time for 10 percent coating loss at 2500 K for thesame candidate ceramic matrix is 3.62×10⁵ hours, which is also muchgreater than 750 hours.

In some cases in which the candidate ceramic matrix has too high of avaporization rate in a substantially inert fill gas atmosphere (such asthat provided by an incandescent lamp), the vaporization rate can bereduced by adding to the fill gas a small amount of a gaseous substancethat has the effect of lowering the vapor pressure p* of the majorvaporizing species. Addition of an appropriate amount of a stabilizingspecies increases the vaporization lifetime according to equation [1]and makes the ceramic matrix a suitable candidate for the ceramiccomposite 60. In another example, hafnium nitride (HfN) has a densityσ_(ceramic)=13.8 g cm⁻³, a molar mass M_(ceramic)=192.5 g mole⁻¹, and avapor pressure of the most volatile species, Hf(g), p*_(Hf)=8.2×10⁻⁸ atmat a heating element temperature of 2300 K. The predicted time to remove10 percent of a 3 micrometer thick HfN coating at 2300 K in an inertatmosphere (e.g., pure Ar) is 68 hours. Since this is much less than thepresently desired lifetime of 750 hours, HfN may not be deemed asuitable ceramic matrix with respect to vaporization resistance for thedesired lifetime.

The fill gas composition of a 100 W A-line incandescent lamp is 95percent Ar and 5 percent N₂ at approximately atmospheric pressure whensuch a lamp is in operation. Equilibrating this fill gas with a HfNcoating determines the vapor pressure of Hf(g) according to chemicalreaction (A):HfN=Hf(g)+½N₂(g)  (A)as p_(Hf)=7.4×10⁻¹¹ atm. The predicted time to remove 10 percent of a 3micrometer thick HfN coating in a fill gas containing 5 percent N₂,corresponding to a N₂ pressure of 38 Torr, is 75577 hours, which is muchgreater than the presently desired lifetime of 750 hours according toequation [1]. Continuing to utilize the standard fill gas for ahigh-wattage incandescent lamp, therefore, renders HfN a suitableceramic matrix for a ceramic composite as defined herein. Similarly, ata heating element temperature of 2500 K, the predicted time to remove 10percent of a 3 micrometer thick HfN coating in a 100 percent Ar fill gasis 4.5 hours, and in a 95 percent Ar and 5 percent N₂ fill gas is 1309hours. Thus, based on the presently desired performance criteria, HfNmay be deemed a suitable ceramic matrix for the ceramic compositedefined herein assuming a suitable fill gas composition is chosen. Afill gas other than Ar, or a partial vacuum, can be used as long as theN₂ pressure is high enough to stabilize the HfN coating for at least 750h according to reaction (A).

In another example, hafnium oxide (HfO₂) has a density ρ_(ceramic)=9.68g cm³, a molar mass M_(ceramic)=210.49 g mole, and a vapor pressure ofthe most volatile species, HfO, p*HfO=8.9×10⁻⁹ atm at a filamenttemperature of 2300 K. The predicted time to remove 10 percent of a 3 μmthick HfO₂ coating at 2300 K is 402 hours. Since 402 hours is less thanthe presently desired lifetime of 750 hours, HfO₂ generally may not beconsidered a suitable ceramic matrix with respect to vaporizationresistance for such a stipulated lifetime.

If a small amount, e.g. 10 ppm, of oxygen, O₂(g), is added to the fillgas, however, the value of p*HfO is fixed by the equilibrium of chemicalreaction (B):HfO₂=HfO(g)+½O₂(g)  (B)as p*_(HfO)=7.4×10⁻¹² atm. The vaporization of HfO₂ is then controlledby vaporization of the species HfO₂, where p*HfO₂=2.0×10⁻¹¹ atm.Inclusion of 10 ppm O₂ in the fill gas thus increases the predicted timeto remove 10 percent of a 3 μm thick HfO₂ coating to 1.29×10⁵ hoursaccording to equation [1]. Since 1.29×10⁵ hours is much greater than thepresently desired lifetime of 750 hours, it can be seen that with asuitable minor modification of the gas fill composition, HfO₂ may becomea suitable ceramic matrix for use in a ceramic composite in such a hightemperature environment. The equivalent predicted time to remove 10percent of a 3 micrometer thick HfO₂ coating at a heating elementtemperature of 2500 K is 1637 hours. Since 1637 hours is greater thanthe presently desired lifetime of 750 hours, HfO₂ may be deemed asuitable ceramic matrix for a ceramic composite if a suitably modifiedfill gas composition is selected.

It has also been recognized herein that the ceramic material 62 shouldbe chemically stable when in contact with the included nanoparticlematerial 64 at a chosen filament temperature. That is, the ceramicmatrix 62 should not participate in an exchange reaction with thenanoparticle material 64, nor should the ceramic matrix 62 dissolve anappreciable amount of the nanoparticle material 64 in solid solution.For example, a ceramic composite comprising a Ta_(0.513)C_(0.487)ceramic matrix and Hf nanoparticles has been proposed. A possiblereaction between Ta_(0.513)C_(0.487) and Hf is:Ta_(0.513)C_(0.487)+0.513Hf=Hf_(0.513)C_(0.487)+0.513Ta  (C)

The value of the Gibbs energy change, ΔG, for this reaction at 2300 K,is calculated to be −37140 J. Since only those chemical reactionsproceed for which the a value of the Gibbs energy change is less thanzero, reaction (C) will proceed to the right at 2300 K andTa_(0.513)C_(0.487) and Hf can be considered thermodynamicallyincompatible with respect to the exchange reaction (C). Reactions ofTa_(0.513)C_(0.487) with other candidate nanoparticle elements(including but not limited to Os, Re, Au) however may yield positivevalues of AG, indicating that the corresponding ceramicmaterial/nanoparticle combinations are unconditionally stable at thetemperatures of interest.

In another example, the ceramic composite comprising a HfN ceramicmatrix and W nanoparticles has been proposed. A possible reactionbetween HfN and W is:HfN+2W=W₂N+Hf  (D)

Literature on phase stability and thermodynamic properties of hightemperature materials indicates that tungsten nitrides are not stable,thus reaction (D) and any other reactions similar to (D) that would formtungsten-nitrides will not occur. The combination of HfN ceramic with Wnanoparticles is thus expected to be a stable ceramic composite in thetemperature range of interest.

In addition to HfN, a ceramic composite including a HfO₂ ceramic matrixand W nanoparticles has also been described above. A possible reactionbetween HfO₂ and W may be represented by reaction (E) as follows:HfO₂+W=WO₂+Hf  (E)

The value of the Gibbs energy change, AG, for this reaction at 2300 K,is calculated to be +519700 J. Since only those chemical reactionsproceed for which the value of the Gibbs energy change is less thanzero, HfO₂ and W are compatible with respect to the exchange reaction(E). Because the value of the Gibbs energy change of reaction (E) is solarge and positive, the solid solubility of W in HfO₂ is expected to below. Thus, a system including an HfO₂ ceramic material and Wnanoparticles is thus expected to result in a stable ceramic compositecoating in the temperature range of interest.

It has further been recognized herein that the ceramic material 62should be chemically stable when in contact with a heating element uponwhich it is disposed. That is, the ceramic matrix 62 should notparticipate in an exchange reaction with the heating element material,nor should it dissolve an appreciable amount of the heating elementmaterial in solid solution.

For example, thermodynamic calculations of the W—Ta—C ternary phasediagram at 2300 K show that the candidate ceramic materialTa_(0.513)C_(0.487) is likely to react partially with a W heatingelement to produce a small amount of a (Ta,W)₂C carbide solid solutionand a layer of W-rich (W,Ta) alloy. This predicted reaction may or maynot be deleterious to a 3 μm Ta_(0.513)C_(0.487) coating on a W heatingelement. According to this criterion, Ta_(0.513)C_(0.487) is a potentialceramic matrix for use in a ceramic composite as defined herein, but onethat is lower ranked than candidate ceramic materials that can be shownto have essentially no chemical reactions with the underlying W heatingelement.

The same example shown under reaction (A) above that shows that HfN andW nanoparticles are chemically compatible also shows that HfN and a Wheating element are chemically compatible. Similarly, the example shownunder reaction (E) above that shows that HfO₂ and W nanoparticles arechemically compatible, also shows that HfO₂ and a W heating element arechemically compatible according to the design criteria disclosed herein.

The techniques illustrated in the above-described examples may be usedto determine whether candidate materials systems are suitable for use inan improved incandescent lamp having a ceramic composite for selectiveemission according to the teachings herein. Thus, in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention as described above, an incandescent lampadapted with a ceramic composite system may include a base, a lighttransmissive envelope, a W heating element or filament, a ceramiccomposite coating comprising a HfN ceramic and included W nanoparticlesdisposed on the heating element. The light transmissive envelope maymaintain a vacuum or a fill gas. In one embodiment, the fill gascontained by the envelope may comprise an inert gas, where the inert gasmay comprise at least about 38 Torr of N₂.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention as describedabove, an incandescent lamp adapted with a ceramic composite coating mayinclude a base, a light transmissive envelope, a W heating element orfilament, a ceramic composite coating comprising a HfN ceramic andincluded nanovoids disposed on the heating element, and a fill gascontained by the envelope and comprising an inert gas where the inertgas may comprise at least about 38 Torr of N₂.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention as describedabove, an incandescent lamp adapted with a ceramic composite forselective emission may include a base, a light transmissive envelope, aW heating element or filament, a ceramic composite coating comprising aHfO₂ ceramic and included W nanoparticles disposed on the heatingelement, and a fill gas comprising an inert component (e.g., Ar) and 10ppm O₂. This fill gas phase can be modified within limits, e.g. byadditions of N₂ to desirably modify its thermal conductivity and/orchanges in the O₂ concentration, while still maintaining a long lifetimefor the ceramic composite coating with respect to vaporization.

The previous examples are intended to illustrate specific materialscreening methodologies used to identify candidate materials inaccordance with the chemical stability specifications delineated above.Although the above-described examples employ certain assumptions todetermine material compatibility (e.g., that no more than 10 percent ofthe ceramic composite should be allowed to vaporize over a desireddesign lifetime when operating at 2300k), the techniques illustratedherein are extensible and should not be limited to the described values.Similarly, although only certain materials have been described indetail, the associated methodologies are intended to be read expansivelyand may be applied to a larger variety of materials than thoseillustrated. In particular, although the previous example methodologiesassume the heating element to be composed of tungsten, heating elementscomposed of other materials such as, but not limited to, carbon, osmium,rhenium and molybdenum may similarly be employed in connection with theceramic matrix composite described herein.

EXAMPLE 1

In one example, an incandescent lamp is made. The incandescent lampincludes a base, a heating element coated with a high temperatureemissive ceramic composite and a light transmissive envelope attached tothe base around the heating element. Before the heating element ismounted to the base, the ceramic composite is formed on the heatingelement. To form the ceramic composite, silica nanoparticles having aparticle size of about 400 nm are assembled through electrophoresis orevaporation onto the heating element. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) ofsilica is then used to bridge the silica nanoparticles to form aninterconnected structure. A further CVD process is performed toinfiltrate the silica matrix and form a 50 nm HfN ceramic shell aroundthe silica nanoparticles. The silica particles are etched out withhydrofluoric acid. Because the HfN has a plasma frequency ω_(p) suchthat hω_(p) is greater than 8 eV indicating strong metallic behavior andthe dielectric constant of the resulting void space is approximatelyone, a sufficient dielectric contrast is provided. The coated heatingelement is then mounted within the incandescent lamp and the envelope isattached and a fill gas comprising at least 38 Torr of N₂ is provided.Current is passed through the base to the ceramic composite coatedheating element causing the ceramic composite to selectively reflectphotons having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm and to emitphotons having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm attemperatures greater than about 2300 Kelvin for at least about 100hours.

EXAMPLE 2

In a second example, another incandescent lamp is made. The incandescentlamp includes a base, a tungsten filament coated with a high temperatureemissive ceramic composite and a light transmissive envelope attached tothe base around the tungsten filament. Before the tungsten filament ismounted to the base, the ceramic composite is formed on the filament.Composite nanoparticles consisting of a 150 nm tungsten core and a 100nm coating of HfO₂ are assembled on the filament using electrophoresis.The assembled particles are then sintered to form a monolithic coatingon the tungsten filament. The coated filament is then mounted within theincandescent lamp and the envelope is attached and a fill gas comprisingAr and 10 ppm O₂. Current is passed through the base to the ceramiccoated filament causing the ceramic coating to selectively reflectphotons having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm and to emitphotons having a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm attemperatures greater than about 2300 Kelvin for at least about 100hours.

While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes may occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as mayfall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Additional claims tothe subject matter described herein may be found in the following USpatent applications concurrently filed herewith: U.S. patent applicationSer. No. ______ [Atty. Docket no. 165571-2] entitled ARTICLEINCORPORATING A HIGH TEMPERATURE CERAMIC COMPOSITE FOR SELECTIVEEMISSION; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ [Atty. Docket no.165571-3] entitled LIGHT SOURCE INCORPORATING A HIGH TEMPERATURE CERAMICCOMPOSITE FOR SELECTIVE EMISSION; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.______ [Atty. Docket no. 165571-4] entitled LIGHT SOURCE INCORPORATING AHIGH TEMPERATURE CERAMIC COMPOSITE AND GAS PHASE FOR SELECTIVE EMISSION.

1. A high temperature stable composition comprising: a first material;and a second material interspersed with respect to the first material toform a structure such that the first and second materials maintain aperiodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm,wherein the composition is operable to reflect photons having awavelength greater than about 700 nm and to emit or transmit photonshaving a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm attemperatures greater than about 2000 Kelvin for at least about 10 hours.2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is operable toreflect photons having a wavelength greater than about 700 nm and toemit or transmit photons having a wavelength between about 400 nm andabout 700 nm at temperatures greater than about 2300 Kelvin for at leastabout 100 hours.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the compositionis operable to reflect photons having a wavelength greater than about700 nm and to emit or transmit photons having a wavelength between about400 nm and about 700 nm at temperatures greater than about 2000 Kelvinfor at least about 750 hours.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein thefirst material comprises a material selected from the group consistingof carbides of transition metals, nitrides of transition metals, boridesof transition metals and oxides of transition metals and combinations oftwo or more thereof.
 5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the secondmaterial comprises a transition metal.
 6. The composition of claim 5,wherein the second material comprises a material selected from the groupconsisting of W, Os, Re, Mo, Au, Ta, Nb, C, Hf, Zr and combinations oftwo or more thereof.
 7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the firstmaterial comprises a material selected from the group consisting of HfC,NbC, W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2, ZrB2, W2B, HfO2,ZrO2, C and combinations of two or more thereof.
 8. The composition ofclaim 4, wherein the second material comprises a material selected fromthe group consisting of W. Os, Re, Mo, Au, Ta, Nb, C, Hf, Zr andcombinations of two or more thereof.
 9. The composition of claim 8,wherein the first material comprises a material selected from the groupconsisting of HfC, NbC, W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2,ZrB2, W2B, HfO2, ZrO2, C and combinations of two or more thereof. 10.The composition of claim 4, wherein the second material comprises a gasphase.
 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the first materialcomprises a material selected from the group consisting of HfC, NbC,W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2, ZrB2, W2B, HfO2, ZrO2,C and combinations of two or more thereof.
 12. The composition of claim1, wherein the first material comprises a material selected from thegroup consisting of HfN, HfC, ZrN, ZrC and combinations of two or morethereof, and wherein the second material comprises a gas phase.
 13. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a materialselected from the group consisting of HfN, HfC, ZrN ZrC and combinationsof two or more thereof, and wherein the second material comprises amaterial selected from the group consisting of HfO2, ZrO2 andcombinations thereof.
 14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the firstmaterial comprises a material selected from the group consisting of HfO2and ZrO2 and combinations thereof, and the second material comprises amaterial selected from the group consisting of W, Os, Re, Mo, Au andcombinations of two or more thereof.
 15. A high temperature coatingcomprising the composition defined in claim
 1. 16. The high temperaturecoating of claim 15, wherein the high temperature coating is coated on aheating element to a thickness of about 3 μm.
 17. A lamp comprising aheating element having the high temperature coating of claim 15 coatedon the heating element.
 18. The composition of claim 1, wherein thefirst material comprises a ceramic material selected from the groupconsisting of carbides of transition metals, nitrides of transitionmetals, and borides of transition metals and combinations of two or morethereof.
 19. The composition of claim 18, wherein the second materialcomprises a gas phase.
 20. The composition of claim 18, wherein thesecond material comprises a material selected from the group consistingof HfC, NbC, W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2, ZrB2, W2B,HfO2, ZrO2, C and combinations of two or more thereof.
 21. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises atransition metal.
 22. The composition of claim 21, wherein the secondmaterial comprises a gas phase.
 23. The composition of claim 21, whereinthe second material comprises a material selected from the groupconsisting of HfC, NbC, W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2,ZrB2, W2B, HfO2, ZrO2, C and combinations of two or more thereof.
 24. Acomposition comprising: a high temperature ceramic composite having afirst material and a second material arranged such that the first andsecond materials maintain a periodicity of distribution between about100 nm and about 1000 nm, wherein the first material is selected fromthe group consisting of carbides of transition metals, nitrides oftransition metals, borides of transition metals, oxides of transitionmetals, and combinations thereof, and wherein the second materialcomprises a transition metal.
 25. The composition of claim 24, whereinthe second material is selected from the group consisting of W, Os, Re,Mo, Au and combinations of two or more thereof.
 26. The composition ofclaim 25, wherein the first material is selected from the groupconsisting of HfC, NbC, W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2,ZrB2, W2B, HfO2, ZrO2, C and combinations of two or more thereof. 27.The composition of claim 26, wherein the first material is selected fromthe group consisting of HfO2, ZrO2, and the second material is selectedfrom the group consisting of W, Os, Re, Mo, Au and combinations of twoor more thereof.
 28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the secondmaterial comprises a plurality of nanoparticles and wherein the firstmaterial is coated on the plurality of nanoparticles.
 29. Thecomposition of claim 27, wherein the first material comprises a firstplurality of nanoparticles and the second material comprises a secondplurality of nanoparticles.
 30. The composition of claim 24 coated on aheating element.
 31. The composition of claim 24, wherein thecomposition is operable to reflect photons having a wavelength greaterthan about 700 nm and to emit or transmit photons having a wavelengthbetween about 400 nm and about 700 nm when heated.
 32. The compositionof claim 24, wherein the second material comprises a material selectedfrom the group consisting of W, Os, Re, Mo, Au, Ta, Nb, C, Hf, Zr andcombinations of two or more thereof.
 33. The composition of claim 32,wherein the first material is selected from the group consisting of HfC,NbC, W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2, ZrB2, W2B, HfO2,ZrO2, C and combinations of two or more thereof.
 34. A compositioncomprising: a high temperature ceramic composite having a first materialand a second material interspersed with respect to each other such thatthe composition is operable to reflect photons having a wavelengthgreater than about 700 nm and to emit or transmit photons having awavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm, wherein the firstmaterial is selected from the group consisting of carbides of transitionmetals, nitrides of transition metals, borides of transition metals,oxides of transition metals, and combinations thereof, and wherein thesecond material comprises a gas phase.
 35. A composition comprising: ahigh temperature ceramic composite having a first material and a secondmaterial arranged such that the first and second materials maintain aperiodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm,wherein the first material is selected from the group consisting ofcarbides of transition metals, nitrides of transition metals, borides oftransition metals and combinations thereof, and wherein the secondmaterial comprises a material selected from the group consisting of HfC,NbC, W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2, ZrB2, W2B, HfO2,ZrO2, C and combinations of two or more thereof.
 36. A compositioncomprising: a high temperature ceramic composite having a first materialand a second material arranged such that the first and second materialsmaintain a periodicity of distribution between about 100 nm and about1000 nm, wherein the first material comprises a transition metal, andwherein the second material comprises a material selected from the groupconsisting of HfC, NbC, W2C, TaC, ZrC, HfN, Nb2N, Ta2N, ZrN, HfB2, TaB2,ZrB2, W2B, HfO2, ZrO2, C and combinations of two or more thereof. 37.The composition of claim 36, wherein the second material comprises amaterial selected from the group consisting of HfO2, ZrO2, C andcombinations of two or more thereof.
 38. A method comprising: applyingcurrent to a composition comprising a first material and a secondmaterial interspersed within the first material to form a structure suchthat the first and second materials maintain a periodicity ofdistribution between about 100 nm and about 1000 nm; and heating thecomposition to a temperature greater than about 2000 Kelvin to cause theemission or transmission of photons having a wavelength between about400 nm and about 700 nm and the reflection of photons having awavelength greater than about 700 nm for a duration of at least about 10hours.
 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising heating thecomposition to a temperature greater than about 2300 Kelvin to cause theemission or transmission of photons having a wavelength between about400 nm and about 700 nm and the reflection of photons having awavelength greater than about 700 nm for a duration of at least about100 hours.
 40. The method of claim 38, further comprising heating thecomposition to a temperature greater than about 2000 Kelvin to cause theemission or transmission of photons having a wavelength between about400 nm and about 700 nm and the reflection of photons having awavelength greater than about 700 nm for a duration of at least about750 hours.
 41. The composition of claim 1, wherein the first materialcomprises W2C and the second material comprises a gas phase.
 42. Thehigh temperature coating of claim 15, wherein the high temperaturecoating has a thickness of about 450 nm.
 43. The high temperaturecoating of claim 15, wherein the high temperature coating comprises atleast one layer of hafnium and nitrogen.
 44. The high temperaturecoating of claim 15, wherein the high temperature coating comprises atleast one layer of hafnium and carbon.
 45. The high temperature coatingof claim 43, wherein the high temperature coating comprises at least onelayer of zirconium and nitrogen.
 46. The high temperature coating ofclaim 43, wherein the high temperature coating comprises at least onelayer of zirconium and carbon.
 47. The composition of claim 34, whereinthe first material comprises a material selected from the groupconsisting of HfN, HfC, ZrN, ZrC and combinations of two or morethereof.
 48. The composition of claim 34, wherein the first materialcomprises W2C.
 49. The composition of claim 34, wherein the firstmaterial comprises hafnium and nitrogen.
 50. The composition of claim34, wherein the first material comprises hafnium and carbon.
 51. Thecomposition of claim 34, wherein the first material comprises zirconiumand nitrogen.
 52. The composition of claim 34, wherein the firstmaterial comprises zirconium and carbon.
 53. A composition comprising: afirst material and a second material interspersed with respect to eachother such that the composition is operable to reflect photons having awavelength greater than about 700 nm and to emit or transmit photonshaving a wavelength between about 400 nm and about 700 nm, wherein thefirst material is selected from the group consisting of carbides oftransition metals, nitrides of transition metals, and borides oftransition metals and combinations thereof, and wherein the secondmaterial comprises a gas phase or an oxide of a transition metal. 54.The composition of claim 53, wherein the first material compriseshafnium and nitrogen.
 55. The composition of claim 53, wherein the firstmaterial comprises hafnium and carbon.
 56. The composition of claim 53,wherein the first material comprises zirconium and nitrogen.
 57. Thecomposition of claim 53, wherein the first material comprises zirconiumand carbon.
 58. The composition of claim 53, wherein the first materialcomprises W2C.
 59. The composition of claim 53, wherein the secondmaterial is interspersed on a surface of the first material.